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Nearly three years ago, I wrote a piece criticizing then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – General Peter Pace, USMC – for his remarks concerning gays in the military. His views were offensive and his expression of them was inappropriate:
“My upbringing is such that I believe that there are certain things, certain types of conduct that are immoral,” Pace told the Tribune. “I believe that military members who sleep with other military members’ wives are immoral in their conduct.”
Pace also told the paper, “I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral, and that we should not condone immoral acts.”
In spite of condemnation of Pace’s statements by civilian and retired military leaders, he nevertheless spoke as the highest ranking military member in the nation. No other active duty military leaders could possibly dare to differ with him – at least not publicly or on the record – unless perhaps they were interested in early retirement. By virtue of his position, General Pace thereby established his viewpoint as the official position of the military on this issue.
I would never have expected that less than three years later, the current Chairman – Admiral Mike Mullen – would come out with such a different view:
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen also endorsed a repeal [of Don't Ask, Don't Tell] Tuesday, telling the committee it is his “personal belief” that “allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly [in the military] would be the right thing to do.”
“For me, personally, it comes down to integrity,” he said.
He reiterated his position on Twitter later that day. Mullen simply believes that it’s wrong for the military to uphold a policy that compels its members to lie, and for military members to comply with a policy that compels them to lie.
But Republican lawmakers, who have long deferred to military leaders on this topic, are suddenly unsure that the military is ready for a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Senators McCain (R-AZ) and Wicker (R-MS) have voiced objections. Much of the news coverage has cited poll results marginally in favor of keeping Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in place, along with conjecture regarding the views of military members themselves. Michael O’Hanlon of the Brookings Institution objects:
“There are a lot of 18-year-old, old-fashioned, testosterone-laden men in the military who are tough guys. They’re often politically old-fashioned or conservative; they are not necessarily at the vanguard, in many cases, of accepting alternative forms of lifestyle.”
But other coverage, including commentary from military members and veterans, indicates that sexual orientation is becoming a non-issue, even though Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is still in effect:
Army veteran Jon Soltz, chairman of VoteVets.org, a group advocating veterans issues, said that some of those concerns are nonissues when it comes to combat.
“First off, there are already gays in the military. Second off, we have extremely strict guidelines in the uniformed code of military justice,” said Soltz, a former captain who served in Iraq. “Why can’t we use the same very strict guidelines about public displays of affection with heterosexuals to go ahead and include gay relationships as well?”
However long it takes to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell – because it will happen, just as the military was racially integrated despite similar baseless objections – I’m in awe of Admiral Mike Mullen for taking the stand that he did. As Richard Allen Smith wrote:
When questioned about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” he could have deferred to the civilian Pentagon leadership who are concerned with such policies. He could have noted that he serves at the behest of the Commander-in-Chief and would accomplish any mission given to him by the President. He could have said that military commanders will follow whatever statutory guidance is given to them by the Congress. He could have stated that more study is needed on the ramifications of the repeal.
But he didn’t. He spoke truthfully and without prejudice or reservation. His courage is inspiring.
I will always be proud of my military service and honored to be a veteran. Thanks to the advocacy of Admiral Mullen and the new, more enlightened official position of the military on this issue, I hope that openly gay service members and veterans will soon be able to say the same.
*NPR interview with a former ROTC classmate of mine who was discharged in 2006 under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
*Latest asinine comment from a policymaker comes from Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA):
…repealing the rule would pave the way for allowing “alcohol use, adultery, fraternization, and body art” in the military…
THIS.
I completely agree, I’m so happy to see the repealing of this act finally happening.
The quote from Michael O’Hanlon is nauseating. We should continue to do the wrong thing because some “old-fashioned” people don’t want to accept the right thing? Please.
I think Admiral Mullen is awesome for saying it’s about integrity. I listened to the hearings about it on the radio the other day, and listening to so many Senators saying we should let it stand because it was a successful policy was sickening.
The one thing I’m NOT sure about is how to go about repealing it. I’d like to say let’s just get rid of it ASAP, but since we are involved in two countries at the moment, I’d want to make sure the change didn’t have an effect on anything first. I imagine there will me a military version of sensitivity training that will need to take place.
There’s already a military version of sensitivity training; it will just need to be revamped slightly.
Repealing the policy doesn’t necessarily mean that gays serving on active duty will come out immediately. I expect they will choose their timing as carefully as ever. But repealing the policy does ensure that they will not be discharged for a violation of DADT should their orientation become known.
Yeah, I wasn’t envisioning a mass gay pride parade or anything.
But at least it gives people the choice to talk to/about their partners on the phone using the correct names and pronouns.
Nice typo I made in my original comment, by the way. That would be “there will need to be a military version…” *headslap*
I honestly never thought at it from an integrity stance, and when you do, it makes perfect sense. Bill also brings up a great point about sensitivity training.
But I look forward to the day when LGBT service people are able to live openly, not just for their own well being, but so that their families can get the support and benefits (optimistic here) that they rightfully deserve.
This is inspiring! Especially hearing him talk about it in terms of integrity and being compelled to lie. Bravo!
To be fair… it probably took far more courage for Pace to publicly proclaim his beliefs than it did for Mullen. Stating the popular, politically-correct opinion doesn’t take nearly as much courage as stating the unpopular, seen-as-unfair-prejudice one.
Of course, I am assuming that Pace really, truly believes that homosexuality is immoral. If I am wrong, then he is an idiot. If I am correct, then he may be ignorant and/or misguided, but I would say he showed more courage than Mullen did.
I will always respect a person’s willingness to speak up politely and articulately for their beliefs, even when I do not respect the beliefs they are sharing.
I disagree profoundly. As the highest ranking military officer in the US, it’s far easier for the CJCS (or any military leader, active or retired) to echo current policy than it is to differ with it. For Admiral Mullen to speak out in support of the repeal took far, FAR more courage than to parrot the policymakers or to cite religious beliefs as opposition to the repeal (a move certain to garner the favor of conservative policymakers).
Frankly, I wish the policymakers had similar courage, enough to stand by their previous assertions that they’d look to military leaders for guidance on the future of DADT. They’re backpedaling now, and it’s cowardly.
Rini – You have it completely backwards. The United States is majority Christian and ignorant (50% think evolution is false) and homophobic. The POPULAR stance is that taken by McCain and his ilk – keep the current system or outright kick out the gays. The UNPOPULAR stance is that which Mullen took. It is the height of illogic to state, “well we have a lot of ignorant homophobes in the Army, so we’d best make them feel comfortable and stomp on the rights of fellow human beings for no other reason than they’re different.”
There must be a special kind of vindication (if that’s the right sentiment) that you feel, having been in the military yourself, now seeing it start to progress in a way that’s more in line with your own values.
Also Kyle? You remain cool in my book. Not just because you play a mean Rock Band bass.
Liz, it was – until I discovered my former classmate had been discharged under DADT. Now I’m far angrier than before.
But I definitely agree that Kyle is way cool.